Arab-Israeli relations swell through soccer

FOXsports.com ^ | march 31, 2005 | Kristin Stevens

[Nachum]

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel suddenly has two Arab heroes. In a country where Jewish-Arab alienation runs deep, a pair of critical goals in World Cup soccer have created an instant connection across the divide.

For years, Abas Suan and Walid Badir endured racist taunts from the bleachers. Now they're the toast of the predominantly Jewish state.

[BrooklynGOP]

Israeli fans booed France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez every time he touched the ball because of recent comments he made about fearing for his safety in Israel. When France's national anthem was played, whistles rang out around the Ramat Gan stadium.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Israeli President Moshe Katsav watched from the stands as France controlled the first half.

Heh.

[free_european]

The Israeli supporters seem pretty restrained. Unpopular goalkeepers used to be pelted with coins when I used to go to matches back home in Britain.

[antiRepublicrat]

For years, Abas Suan and Walid Badir endured racist taunts from the bleachers. Now they're the toast of the predominantly Jewish state.

If you're good at soccer we don't care if you're green with fuzzy purple antennae, much less just another race, faith or nationality. Soccer -- the great equalizer.

[pepperhead]

This story isn't that surprising. Now what would be surprising if it was a arab country that was cheering Jewish athletes.

[Apollo]

generating successful examples for Arabs while doors continue to close in other areas.

So says an Israeli Arab tv and radio personality. The article also quotes an Israeli Arab member of Parliament. They should have quoted an Israeli Arab doctor as well, to really illustrate how those doors are closing.

[Tolik]

That's why I love FreeRepublic. It does not take long for a brilliant point to show up. Thanks. You are 100% right. When Arabs will cheer Jewish athletes (or Jewish anybody) we will have peace there.

[kenavi]

They should have quoted an Israeli Arab doctor as well, to really illustrate how those doors are closing.

Can you blame them (the Israelis)?

[kenavi]

Apollo: They should have quoted an Israeli Arab doctor as well, to really illustrate how those doors are closing.

kenavi: "Can you blame them (the Israelis)?"

Apollo: No answer.

Kenavi: Guess not, huh?

[Apollo]

Can I blame them for what? Closing doors? I don't believe that they are closing doors, so I can't blame them for it.

I didn't answer because you seemed to misunderstand my post. I was being sarcastic and trying to point out the irony in the article.

The article talks about racism and "closing doors" in Israel as if Arabs living in Israel are down-trodden and have no opportunities, yet the article itself disproves this by quoting very successful Arabs (a politician and a tv personality) living in Israel. I was suggesting that it would have been even more ironic had they interviewed other successful Arabs (like a doctor) to illustrate how badly Israel treats its Arab population.

[kenavi]

Mea culpa.